FRANCHISE ANALYZER

In 1921, the electronics industry was practically nonexistent, but that didn’t stop tech enthusiasts Milton and Theodore Deutschmann from opening up the first Radio Shack. The shop catered to ham radio users. As the industry grew, Radio Shack added more products to its inventory. In the 1950s, the company launched its own electronics line, but struggled to be profitable over the next several years. Enter Tandy Corporation, run by Charles Tandy, who bought the name in 1963. He began selling franchises under the Radio Shack name in 1968 and there are now nearly 6,000 Radio Shack stores.

Radisson is an international chain of hotels, most of which are independently owned and operated by franchisees. Radisson, originally founded in 1962, is a member of the Carlton Rezidor group of hotels. Carlton Rezidor includes other franchised hotel chains like Country Inns & Suites, Hotel Missoni, and Park Plaza.

Operating as part of The Dwyer Group, Rainbow franchises provide cleaning and restoration services for buildings damaged by flooding, fire, and other disasters. Rainbow locations are on call all day, every day for immediate response to customers. Rainbow also employs certified inspectors who are qualified to properly assess and offer solutions for structural and other damage. Founded in 1981, there are over 300 Rainbow locations in the U.S and internationally.

The first Ramada opened to the public in 1954, serving travelers along Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Its founding team was comprised of a group of entrepreneurs and investors. The concept for Ramada was to give travelers hotel-quality accommodations in an affordable roadside motel. The Ramada brand is currently owned by Wyndham Worldwide.

Re-Bath works with commercial and residential clients providing bathroom resurfacing and remodeling. The Re-Bath concept is built on the idea that customers would react positively to being offered a quicker alternative to long, drawn-out - and often costly - bathroom remodels. This was an accurate prediction, and the Re-Bath franchise is a remarkably successful operation. There are more than 220 Re-Bath locations in the U.S. and Canada.

The RE/MAX concept is to hire only experienced, qualified agents to give buyers and sellers of real estate peace of mind in knowing that they are in good hands. The company was founded in 1973 by Dave Liniger in Denver, Colorado and has continued to expand through the years. Today there are thousands of RE/MAX brokerages all over the world.

Marisa and Jeff Humphries founded Real Deals on Home Decor in 2003. Operating out of a renovated basement, the couple sold designer furniture and decor at discounted prices. Marisa’s sisters began to open up their own Real Deals locations, one by one, and before long they had decided to franchise the company. Now there 71 Real Deals discount showrooms in operation.

Real Property Management consists of local franchises that provide property management services for homeowners and associations. They provide leasing and evictions, maintenance, collections, inspections and other services to help people manage and maintain their real estate investments. Nationwide, there are currently more than 200 Real Property Management locations.

Red Mango gets its name from the company’s business model, which is to use only ingredients that are at the peak of freshness - such as when a mango has turned red. In the five years since its inception, the Red Mango concept has grown to a nationwide franchise network of more than 180 locations. The shops sell fruit smoothies and frozen yogurt and are a consistent favorite with both customers and franchise investors.

In 1973, builder James Trueman opened the first Red Roof Inn in Columbus, Ohio. Trueman’s concept of providing great value for travelers (on opening day, rooms were around $8.00 per night) caught on. Red Roof has over 300 locations around the country, serving millions of customers and employing thousands.

Relax The Back is a retail store providing customers with access to medical-grade back support and pain relief products. The first location was opened by an osteopath in 1984, who franchised the name in 1989. Nearly 100 North American Relax The Back stores are currently in operation, selling all kinds of back care items like recliners, support braces, and neck & back exercise DVDs.

Remedy Intelligent Staffing started in 1965, helping to match job seekers with the right employers. The company conducts interviews, testing, and other methods in order to provide the employers with the most qualified candidates to fill their positions. Over 400 Remedy locations are in operation today, providing staffing solutions for a wide variety of clients. The franchise is part of the Select Family of Staffing Companies.

More than 650 Results! independent agencies in the United States. The company offers a unique opportunity, allowing already-established travel agencies to buy in and benefit from their contacts and resources while keeping their own unique brand identity. The Results! venture was formed in 2000 and has headquarters in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Retro Fitness was opened in 2002 and franchised in 2006 by founder Eric Casaburi. He wanted to provide all the accoutrements of a modern gym at old-fashioned prices. Headquartered in Colts Neck, New Jersey, the franchise has expanded quickly and now there are over 75 of the distinctively decorated fitness centers in the United States.

Allen Hager founded Right at Home in 1995 in Omaha Nebraska. Hager had worked as a hospital administrator and witnessed the frustration when an elderly patient tried to return to normal living after a hospital stay. Many of these people, Hager observed, could easily continue to live independent lives with just a bit of assistance. He began working as a nurse’s assistant, really getting into the trenches of the medical field to understand the need for home care in a more in-depth way. His efforts paid off and the Right at Home franchise is incredibly successful.

RimTyme offers unique financing programs to customers seeking custom tires and wheels for their vehicle. Buyers can lease-to-own their tires and rims through the 21 franchised shops now in operation. In keeping with the RimTyme concept, proprietors take steps to create a hip, laid-back atmosphere - like installing flat screen TVs in their waiting rooms.

Firefighter Bob Tumolo opened the first Rita’s in Pennsylvania in 1984. He named the restaurant after his wife and operated it with his mother, Elizabeth. The family business was built around a model of sharing authentic Italian ice, served fresh. The traditional Italian treat was a huge hit among the locals, and Rita’s has grown into a franchise network of over 500 locations.

Robeks first opened in 1996. The plan was - and still is - to bring healthy food, smoothies, and juice to consumers for reasonable prices. Another aspect of the Robeks model is to provide attentive customer service. These strategies have helped Robeks to ride near the top of the health food industry wave. There are around 120 franchised Robeks locations throughout the U.S.

Franklin Crail founded Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in 1981 in Durango, Colorado. Crail began franchising the following year and now there are some 200 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory locations across the United States. Part of the appeal of the Rocky Mountain concept is that customers get to watch the candy being made right in front of them.

Barber Joe Grondin founded Roosters in 1999 after 30 years of experience in the men’s hair care and grooming industry. Grondin wanted to recapture the barber shop experience of times past, bringing back a model that focused on personal interaction and slow, careful service. Roosters franchised in 2002 and there are more than 50 of the old-style men’s barber shops operating today.